Liverpool Airport Transfers: How to Get from Liverpool Airport to the City Centre
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is located around 8 miles (13 km) from Liverpool city centre, and although it is a relatively small airport, it is well connected by bus, taxi and train connections via Liverpool South Parkway. Choosing the right Liverpool airport transfer depends on your budget, arrival time and how much luggage you are carrying.
Unlike some larger UK airports, Liverpool Airport does not have a train station directly at the terminal, so travellers cannot take a train straight from the airport. Instead, the most common Liverpool airport transfers are bus services to the city centre, taxis or Uber, or bus connections to Liverpool South Parkway station where you can then take a train into the city.
For most travellers, the easiest Liverpool airport transfer is the airport bus to Liverpool ONE Bus Station, which is located near the Albert Dock and the main shopping and hotel area. From there, most hotels and attractions are within walking distance or a short taxi ride away.
If you are travelling with heavy luggage, arriving late at night, or travelling in a group, a taxi or Uber from Liverpool Airport to the city centre may be the easiest option. The journey is relatively short compared to many airports, so taxi prices are usually reasonable compared to airports like Heathrow or Manchester.
Overall, Liverpool airport transfers are fairly simple compared to many major cities, and most visitors find it easy to get from the airport to the city centre in under 30 minutes.
Liverpool Airport Bus to City Centre (Cheapest Option)
The Liverpool Airport bus is the cheapest and most popular Liverpool airport transfer option for most travellers. Several bus services connect Liverpool John Lennon Airport with the city centre, Liverpool ONE Bus Station, and Liverpool Lime Street Station.
The main airport bus services are typically operated by Arriva and include routes such as the 500 Airport Express, 86A, and 80A services. The 500 Airport Express is usually the fastest bus into the city centre and runs between Liverpool Airport and Liverpool ONE Bus Station, stopping at Liverpool Lime Street Station along the way.
The journey time from Liverpool Airport to Liverpool ONE is usually around 25 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic. Buses generally run every 20โ30 minutes during the day, with slightly reduced frequency in the evening.
Liverpool ONE Bus Station is a very convenient arrival point because it is located close to Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, The Beatles Story, and many city centre hotels. If you are staying in the city centre, you may be able to walk directly to your hotel from the bus station.
Tickets for the Liverpool Airport bus can usually be bought:
- On the bus from the driver
- Using contactless card payment
- Through local bus apps
- At ticket machines in some locations
For most budget travellers, the Liverpool Airport bus is the best airport transfer option because it is cheap, relatively fast and drops you right in the city centre.
Liverpool Airport Taxi and Uber
Taking a taxi or Uber from Liverpool Airport to the city centre is the easiest and most convenient Liverpool airport transfer, especially if you are travelling with luggage, arriving late at night, or travelling in a group.
Taxis are available directly outside the airport terminal building, and there is usually a taxi rank operating whenever flights are arriving. The journey from Liverpool Airport to the city centre usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Taxi prices can vary slightly depending on traffic and time of day, but typically a taxi from Liverpool Airport to the city centre costs roughly the same as a short city taxi ride rather than a long airport transfer like Heathrow or Gatwick. If you are travelling with two or three people, a taxi can often be good value when the cost is split between passengers.
Uber also operates in Liverpool and is often slightly cheaper than traditional taxis, although prices can increase during busy periods or late at night. Many travellers prefer using Uber because you can see the price in advance and pay through the app without needing cash.
If you are staying outside the city centre, travelling very early in the morning, or arriving very late at night, a taxi or Uber is usually the best Liverpool airport transfer option.
Liverpool Airport Train (via Liverpool South Parkway)
There is no train station directly at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, but you can still use the train as part of your Liverpool airport transfer by travelling first to Liverpool South Parkway station, which is the closest railway station to the airport.
To get to Liverpool South Parkway from the airport, you need to take a short bus journey. The main buses that connect the airport to the station are the 80A and 86A services, which both stop directly outside the airport terminal. These buses run frequently throughout the day and the journey to Liverpool South Parkway usually takes around 10 minutes.
Once you arrive at Liverpool South Parkway station, you can take a train to Liverpool Lime Street, which is the main railway station in Liverpool city centre. Trains between Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Lime Street run very frequently, often every 10 to 15 minutes, and the train journey itself takes around 10 minutes.
This means the total journey time from Liverpool Airport to Liverpool city centre using the bus and train combination is usually around 25 to 30 minutes, which is similar to the direct airport bus but can be more useful if you are continuing your journey by train.
Liverpool South Parkway is an important transport hub and has train services to several major cities including Manchester, Birmingham, London, and other destinations across the UK. Because of this, many travellers who are arriving at Liverpool Airport but travelling onwards by train will use the airport bus to Liverpool South Parkway and then continue by train rather than going into Liverpool city centre first.
If your final destination is Liverpool city centre, the direct airport bus to Liverpool ONE is usually easier. However, if you are connecting to a train to another city, travelling via Liverpool South Parkway is normally the best Liverpool airport transfer option.
Liverpool Airport Car Hire
Hiring a car at Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a good option if you are planning to explore outside Liverpool, visit North Wales, travel to the Lake District, or drive between cities in the UK. For visitors who are only staying in Liverpool city centre, however, a car is usually not necessary because parking in the city centre can be expensive and most attractions are close together.
Several major car hire companies operate at Liverpool Airport, and the car rental desks are located inside the terminal building, making it easy to pick up a car shortly after arriving. The main car hire companies at Liverpool Airport usually include companies such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise and Budget, although availability can change over time.
Driving from Liverpool Airport to Liverpool city centre usually takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The route is straightforward and mainly follows major roads into the city. If you are driving to other destinations, Liverpool Airport is well located for major road connections including the M62, M57, and M56 motorways.
Car hire is particularly useful if you are planning to visit places outside Liverpool such as Chester, North Wales, Snowdonia, Blackpool, or the Lake District, as public transport to some of these areas can be slower or require multiple changes.
However, if you are only visiting Liverpool city centre, using buses, taxis and trains is usually easier than renting a car, and many visitors find they do not need a car at all while staying in the city.
If you are planning to hire a car from Liverpool Airport, it is usually best to book in advance online, especially during summer and holiday periods when prices can increase and availability can be limited.
Tips for Liverpool Airport Transfers
If you are planning your Liverpool airport transfer, there are a few things that can make your journey much easier, especially if this is your first time visiting the city.
If you are staying in Liverpool city centre near Liverpool ONE, Albert Dock, or the waterfront, the direct airport bus is usually the easiest option because it drops you very close to these areas. Many city centre hotels are within walking distance of Liverpool ONE Bus Station.
If you are arriving very late at night or very early in the morning, check bus times in advance because services are less frequent late at night. In these situations, a taxi or Uber may be the easiest transfer option.
If you are travelling onwards by train to another city, go to Liverpool South Parkway rather than Liverpool Lime Street first, because South Parkway is much closer to the airport and avoids travelling into the city centre unnecessarily.
Allow extra travel time if you are travelling during rush hour or on match days when Liverpool FC or Everton are playing, as traffic around the city can be busy.
Liverpool Airport is relatively small, so getting through arrivals is usually quick compared to major airports, and most travellers can be on a bus or in a taxi within 15 to 20 minutes of landing.
Rupertโs Handy Travel Tips
Arriving at Liverpool John Lennon Airport? Here are a few tips to make your transfer into the city smooth and easy:
- Use the airport bus for the easiest transfer: The bus to Liverpool ONE is usually the simplest option for city centre hotels.
- Use South Parkway for train connections: Take the 80A or 86A bus if you are connecting to trains to Manchester, Birmingham or London.
- Taxis are quick and not too expensive: The airport is close to the city, so taxis are often good value if shared.
- Allow extra time on match days: Traffic can be heavy when Liverpool or Everton are playing at home.
- Book car hire in advance: Prices are usually cheaper online than at the airport desk.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Liverpool Airport Transfers Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Liverpool Airport from the city centre?
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is about 8 miles (13 km) from Liverpool city centre and usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes to reach.
What is the cheapest Liverpool airport transfer?
The airport bus to Liverpool ONE is usually the cheapest and most popular transfer option.
Is there a train station at Liverpool Airport?
No, there is no train station at Liverpool Airport. You must take a bus to Liverpool South Parkway station to catch a train.
How much is a taxi from Liverpool Airport to the city centre?
Taxi prices vary, but the journey usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes and can be good value if shared between several people.
Where do airport buses stop in Liverpool city centre?
Most airport buses stop at Liverpool ONE Bus Station and Liverpool Lime Street Station, which are both central locations.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are visiting Liverpool for sightseeing, you may also want to read our Liverpool Hop-On Hop-Off Bus guide, which is one of the easiest ways to see the main attractions including the waterfront, cathedrals, museums and city centre areas.
Many visitors also take a Mersey Ferries river cruise which gives you a great view of the Liverpool waterfront and skyline from the River Mersey and is one of the most popular things to do in the city.
Football fans visiting the city should also read our Liverpool FC Stadium Tour guide, which explains how to visit Anfield, tour the stadium and visit the Liverpool FC Museum.
If you are travelling between cities, our Manchester to Liverpool travel guide explains the best way to travel between the two cities by train, bus or car.
Reading these guides together will help you plan your Liverpool itinerary more efficiently and make the most of your time in the city.
Last Updated
April 2026
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